They are doing it again!

Members of the Omaha Public Libraries will be able to check out tickets to the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium! (while supplies last)

 

WHEN: Beginning February 1, 2022, zoo tickets will be available at OPL locations. (while supplies last)

WHO:

Omaha Public Libraries: Adults ages 18+ who are Douglas County residents or have a non-resident paid membership to OPL are eligible to check out the tickets. Accounts with outstanding balances greater than $50 may start a payment plan in order to obtain a ticket. Expired accounts must be renewed and outstanding fees must be paid in order to obtain a ticket. Due to the great demand and limited supply, tickets cannot be held or reserved. Tickets are good for one-time use. Only one ticket per library card and patron can be issued, admitting up to two adults and six children. An OPL library card must be presented to the zoo at the time of redemption. Find out more here.

[Please note: If you have an Omaha library card through a Lincoln library card, you are not eligible for these tickets. Thank you Katie for sharing this information.]

 

WHERE: All Omaha Public Library Branches will be participating in the program (while supplies last). 

For more information and to check on availability, visit online or call your local Omaha Library.

 

More Library Partnerships

• Omaha Children’s Museum
• Fontenelle Forest
• Lauritzen Gardens
• Durham Museum

 

Find More Fun:

• Winter Fun Guide
• Top 10 Things to Do in Omaha with Kids
• Indoor Playgrounds and Activities

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Looking for a FUN activity this Winter? Go Sledding at Mahoney State Park!

Please Note: Sledding and many other family activities are available during the winter months, depending on the weather. Please call the Mahoney State Park office at (402) 944-2523 to check current weather conditions, hours, and open and close dates for the season. 

 

Let’s Go Sledding at Mahoney State Park

Families will love the sledding hill at Mahoney State Park!

 

Located behind the Activity Center, the sledding hill is near the hub of fun winter activities including the outdoor Ice Skating rink, indoor activity play area, and Venture Climb.

(Some activities may not be open this Winter. Be sure to follow the Mahoney State Park FB page for more information.)

 

Family can bring their own sled or tube, and be sure to dress warmly. 

It is FREE to sled with a daily or annual State Park permit that can be purchased at the entrance to Mahoney State Park. 

There is a smaller parking lot to the Northeast of the Activity Center that is closer to the sledding hill.

 

Tip: They have snow making machines in case there isn’t enough on the ground!

(Visitors can always call ahead to Mahoney State Park to see what their snow level currently is.)

Find More Fun this Winter:

• Things to Do near Omaha this Winter
• Winter Break Fun
• Places to Go Snowshoeing near Omaha

Join our growing community and keep updated on Omaha family-friendly events and activities and Sign up for our Free Email Newsletter!

Fall is beautiful in and around Omaha! We asked our readers to share their favorite areas and best scenic drives near Omaha to see Fall colors!

Best Places to See Fall Colors Near Omaha

 

 

Lauritzen Gardens

Location: 100 Bancroft St.
Admission Cost. Memberships available.

Stroll around the beautiful Botanical Gardens with paved walking paths. See a model train railroad, indoor Conservatory, Visitor Center, and many themed garden areas.

Members of Omaha Public Library or Council Bluffs Library can check out a pass to visit Lauritzen Gardens. Find out more here!

 

Mahoney State Park

Location: 28500 West Park Hwy, Ashland, NE
Cost: Park Entry Permit is required

During the Fall, families can enjoy scenic drives, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, visit the indoor playground, and climb the observation tower.

 

OPPD Arboretum

Location: 108th & Blondo
Cost: Free

The OPPD arboretum is an outdoor education area where you can walk along paved pathways.

 

Platte River State Park

Location: 14421 346th St., Louisville, NE
Cost: Park Entry Permit is required.

Enjoy the park’s picturesque waterfall, scenic hiking and biking trails, and two observation towers that allow those who climb to the top a spectacular view of both the Platte River and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, which is just across the river.

 

Schramm Park

Location: 15810 Hwy 50, Louisville, NE
Cost: Park Entry Permit is required.

Families can explore a geologic display, feed fish in cool water trout ponds, tour the Schramm Education Center (admission), and enjoy a picnic on the bluffs.

 

Find More Beautiful Places here;

 

Best Scenic Drives to See Fall Colors Near Omaha

Highway 66 [Exit 426 between Omaha and Lincoln]

• Get off exit 426 between Omaha and Lincoln and enjoy the nearby attractions and scenic drive.
• Mahoney State Park – During the Fall, families can enjoy scenic drives, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, visit the indoor playground, and climb the observation tower. Daily / Annual Park Entry Pass Required.
• Wildlife Safari Park – Drive-through and see elk, bison, deer, and more. In the middle of the park, you can get out of your car and walk to see the bears, wolves, petting corral, and eagle aviary. Hiking trails also available.
• Platte River State Park – Enjoy the park’s picturesque waterfall, scenic hiking and biking trails, and two observation towers that allow those who climb to the top a spectacular view of both the Platte River and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, which is just across the river.

 

Hwy 75 [South toward Nebraska City and Indian Cave]

• Nebraska City is a favorite place to visit during the Fall and is popular for their apple picking, and experiencing the Tree Adventure at Arbor Day Farm.
• Cross over into Iowa to visit Waubonsie State Park.
• Indian Cave State Park is a popular camping spot, with beautiful overlooks and hiking trails.

 

Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

• The Loess Hills National Scenic Byway passes through a unique land formation that is up to 15 miles wide and about 200 miles long from north of Sioux City, Iowa to near St. Joseph, Missouri.
• For inspiration and ideas, visit 5 Stops for a Fall Foliage Tour of the Loess Hills and 9 Best Fall Color Views in the Loess Hills.
• Reader Tip: Drive through Preparation Canyon and the Loess Hills. Then make a stop at Small’s Fruit Farm for fresh apples and cider.

 

Find more Fall Fun in Omaha:

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Looking for a fun family outing on the farm? Enjoy an adventure full of a variety of activities at Nelson Produce Farm.

Known for its beautiful Sunflower Field in the Fall, this farm offers family fun all Summer, too!

 

See and Feed the Animals

Kids will love seeing the animals!

See the adorable baby goats! Guests can purchase animal feed for the sheep and goats, or add-on the optional experience to feed a baby goat with a bottle. 

 

Be sure to visit inside the barn to see the animals. At the time we visited, there were baby chicks and a bunny!

 

As this is a working farm, visitors might see the animals receiving a bath or being fed. 

 

Enjoy the Activities

Climbing over and around the huge hay bales is always a favorite!

 

Little ones will love the trikes with plenty of space to ride.

 

A huge sand pile with trucks and pails waiting to be explored!

Seasonally, they also offer a kiddie train ride and a hayrack ride. 

 

Pick Your Own Produce & Visit The Market

Depending on the season that you visit, visitors can pick your own fruits or vegetables. During our visit, we picked yummy strawberries!

 

Guests can visit The Market to pick up some fresh produce, jams, and other products.

 

Be sure to stop by Pam’s Kitchen for a tasty meal or treat – the shredded beef was delicious!

 

Nelson Produce Farm

Location: 10505 N 234th Street, Valley, NE

See Current Schedule, Hours, and Purchase Tickets here: https://www.nelsonproduce.com/

Have a fun time at the Farm!

 

Find More Fun:

• Things to Do this Summer with Kids
• FREE Summer Fun

Beginning February 1, 2021, local library members will be able to check out a pass for their family to visit The Durham Museum!

 

As you are driving around looking at Christmas Lights, add some more fun with a Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt! You can add your own ideas to the list, too!

Find our giant list of Amazing Christmas Lights in Omaha + Interactive Map here!

 

Click on the image below for a printable to take with you on your next adventure!

 

If you live in the Omaha Metro, odds are you’ve heard of Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard. 

The attractions are so fun and unique. It really is a great place for some good old-fashioned fall fun, and a great place to make memories with your family. There’s an endless amount of things to do and see during your visit and you’re sure to work up an appetite. 

Thankfully, Vala’s has some of the very best food around. Nothing can get you in the spirit of Fall quite like some of the treats you can find at Vala’s!

It was challenging to narrow down our list to just 10 items, but we have rounded up a list of 10 of the Best Foods at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch!

Best Foods at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch

Here are our favorites of Vala’s Best Food (in no particular order):

Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake– This treat, accurately described as a “hidden gem” at Vala’s is absolutely amazing! It has a German chocolate crust and is so rich and decadent. You don’t even have to be a huge pumpkin fan to enjoy this. You can find it in the Country Bakery. Another yummy treat to try in the Country Bakery are the Pumpkin Bars.

 

Apple Cider Donuts– If you want some delicious, made-from scratch, apple cider donuts, head to the Harvest Barn. You can get your apple cider donuts cinnamon sugar coated or glazed. My personal favorite is glazed. If you can snag these first thing in the morning when they are hot and fresh, there really is little else comparable. These are a family favorite and served daily.

 

Apple Cider Slushy– If you find yourself at the patch on a particularly hot day, there is no better way to cool off than with an Apple Cider Slushy (although the Slushy Station is a close second)! They also offer Apple Cider Slushy Floats, but I personally love them as is (sans the ice cream). You, of course, can also just grab a hot apple cider, on a cold day, which is also amazing- perfect for dunking those Apple Cider Donuts in!

 

Turkey Legs– You can’t talk about food at Vala’s and not include their giant smoked turkey legs. My kids more closely resemble animals tearing into these, and love every minute of it. The are located at Time-Out Turkey Legs.

 

Brown Butter Salted Honey Pie– The fact that Vala’s has an entire pie barn, points to the fact that they know their pies!

While many are amazing, for me, the Brown Butter Salted Honey Pie takes the pie cake. This pie could be easily overlooked by some of its “flashier” looking relatives, but this salty-sweet pie is not to be missed! The texture is like custard. It gets an amazing caramel flavor from the brown butter and honey combination.

Other contenders for best pie, are the popular Salted Caramel Apple and Classic Pumpkin.

*Fun fact…did you know you can order their pies for Thanksgiving? Typically around the first week of November you can pre-order a Vala’s pie to be picked up the day before Thanksgiving. Follow their Facebook page for more information.

 

Apple Dumpling– We’ve gotten an annual family pass to Vala’s Pumpkin Patch for the past decade and it wasn’t until just recently that I discovered their Apple Dumplings. Dare I say it rivals their pies. The Apple Dumpling consists of an entire peeled apple (grown at Vala’s), wrapped in homemade pie crust and drenched in caramel sauce. I have never had anything quite like it- a truly unique treat. It’s important to note that these are only available on the weekends. You can find them in the Pie Barn.

 

Vala’s Seven Layer Bars– The treat that brings the most nostalgia for our family has to be the Seven Layer Bar. The pumpkin patch season doesn’t close without our family having consumed at least a few of these. Layers of chocolate and butterscotch chips, sweetened condensed milk, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and pecans, all come together to make a rich treat that is out.of.this.world. They are located in the Exit Barn.

 

Popcorn Balls– I think it’s pretty widely known that Vala’s sells great kettlecorn, but have you tried their, homemade, popcorn balls? The recipe is Grandma Lois Vala’s and is still being used today. Conveniently located in the Exit Barn, this is a good treat to take home to be enjoyed for later. They are appropriately orange in color as well, adding to the festiveness of the treat.

 

Succotash– Being more of a savory guy, my husband’s favorite thing at the patch is the Succotash, located at the Potato Patch Cookery. Other savory favorites include Chicken Pot Pie and soup in a bread bowl.

 

Cookie Coop Cookies– These cookies are truly amazing and yet another very unique recipe to Vala’s. These mini, warm, chocolate chip cookies are so thin, and absolutely scrumptious! You can purchase a cookie cone or a bucket of cookies. 

 

It was honestly super hard to narrow this list down, so if something didn’t make the list, it doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy. It’s just a testament to how great the food is at Vala’s Pumpkin Patch!

With that said, I wanted to add some honorable mentions:

• Hand-Dipped Caramel Apples
• Caramel Apple Funnel Cake Sundae
• Freak Shakes (Caramel Apple & S’mores)
• Kettle Corn

 

If having these treats just a few times a year isn’t enough for you, did you know they have a Vala’s Cookbook full of some of the very recipes listed above? Located in the Exit Barn, you can grab a cookbook for yourself and give some of these amazing recipes a try yourself! 

Discover more Helpful Tips for Visiting Vala’s Pumpkin Patch here!

 

Brooke Wheeler is married with 3 children. She is a stay-at-home mom who lives in the Omaha area. She shares about family, fun, food, fashion, and more, on her Instagram page.

 

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